Middle School

AFRICA: VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY

with Basil Davidson MBT/MR Arts, 1984. Each segment is 56:00.

M, HS, Adult

The author of more than 30 books on Africa, Basil Davidson guides viewers through a comprehensive overview of African history, culture, and geography from ancient Africa to the present.

The New York Times described this series as "stunning."

Cassette 1

Part One: Different But Equal

Examines the rise of ancient African kingdoms, especially Egypt and Nubia, and the origins of European racial prejudice towards Africa.

Part Two: Mastering a Continent

Examines how Africans in three societies have made a living from diverse and often hostile environments.

Cassette 2

Part Three: Caravans of Gold

Traces the roots of the medieval gold trade from Africa to India, China, and Italy; focuses on the kingdoms of Ghana and Mali.

Part Four: Kings and Cities

Explores the functioning of traditional African kingdoms, with a focus on Kano in northern Nigeria.

Cassette 3

Part Five: The Bible & the Gun

Deals briefly with the slave trade itself; focuses on explorers, missionaries, and colonizers.

Part Six: The Magnificent African Cake

Examines the European "Scramble for Africa." Covers the conquest, the forms of colonial control, and the colonial extraction of wealth.

Cassette 4

Part Seven: The Rise of Nationalism

Explores the struggle for independence in several African colonies, including the Gold Coast (Ghana), Kenya, Rhodesia (Zimbabwe), and the Belgian Congo.

Part Eight: The Legacy

Discusses the aftermath of colonial rule, and examines contemporary problems of independent African nations.

AFRICA CLOSE-UP

Maryknoll World Productions, 1997. 28:00

M

This video is divided into two 14 min. segments. The first segmented is narrated by an Egyptian teenager who introduces Egyptian culture by describing her daily life in Cairo. The second segment examines the problems of desertification, unclean water and national unity in Tanzania through the narration of a village teenager.

? AFRICA ON THE MOVE

The Bullfrog Project, 1991. 55:00 (in three parts).

M, HS, Adults. With study guide.

A remarkable new look at Africa which goes beyond the stereotypical images and allows Africans to speak for themselves. Through scenes of a farming family in Uganda and through brief interviews with Ugandan leaders, we come to see such families as agents of change.

AFRICAN JOURNEY

Wonderworks. 174:00. 1990.

M

Luke is a high school student from Canada and Themba is an Zimbabwean youth. Separated by vastly different cultures, these two young people seem to have nothing in common, when a series of adventures in Zimbabwe enables them to discover how alike they really are. This video series may be shown in parts without showing the whole. Each part is 30 minutes. It is accompanied by an excellent teaching guide.

Vol. I:

Part four: Chasing a Dream
Part five: A Deadly Business
Part six: One World to Share

Vol. II:

Part one: Under the Sun
Part two: Brother
Part three: Price of a Bride

? AFRICAN STORY MAGIC

w/ narrator Brock Peters. 27:00. 1992

Elementary and Up

A 7 year old steps from the streets of LA into the Africa of his ancestors. Storytellers share six stories of wisdom and courage.

THE AMISTAD REVOLT

Producer: Andrea Haas Hubbell. 1995. 33:00.

M, HS, Adult

The true story of 53 Africans who, in the 1830s, revolted and seized the slave ship La Amistad . Thwarted in their plans to return home, they were captured and charged with murder and piracy. They won their freedom through the courts.

ANANSI

Rabbit Ears Approx. 30 Min. Color

Ages: 5 & Up

Oscar-winner Denzel Washington narrates two hilarious stories from Jamaica where Anasi outsmarts the prideful snake. Reggae hit makers UB 40 provide the decidedly Jamaican score. An introductory animated segment shows the link between this Jamaican Anansi and his African origin.

ASIMBONANGA

Producer: Imagery Films. 1989. 7:00

Song performed by Joan Baez.

M, HS, Adult

Combines still photos, cell animation, live action, and optical effects, all choreographed to the song Asimbonanga - to act as a reminder of the daily oppression faced by black South Africans.

? CHANTAL'S CHOICE

Producers: C. Saltman & P. Hinkley, 1990. 29:00

M, HS, Adult

The story of an African girl grappling with traditional marriage expectations within a modern and changing environment. Written and presented by secondary school students in Burkina Faso.

THE EARTH THAT FEEDS US

Beacon Films. 1990. 15:00.

M, HS

A compelling look at environmental problems experienced by African farmers in recent years. Explores how Africans might strike a balance between ecological conservation and economic development. Draws comparisons with environmental problems facing the U.S. Includes brief lesson plan.

FACING THE FUTURE

Beacon Films. 1990. 15:00

M, HS

Asks the question what does it mean to be modern? Examines the influence of western values and technology on Africans, and how Africans are creating a balance between traditional and modern ways.

? FAMINE AND CHRONIC PERSISTENT HUNGER: A LIFE AND DEATH DISTINCTION

Also shown as "End the Hunger." Producer: The Hunger Project. 1989, 11:00.M,

HS, Adult

This video makes graphically clear, by focusing on different case studies of Third World nations, the critical distinction between famine and chronic hunger-and what needs to be done to end each.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Beacon Films From the "Many Voices" series 1992, 15:00.

M

Isa, a young girl from Senegal, finds it frustrating to be different from other kids in her Canadian school. When she fasts for the Muslim month of Ramadan, her friend Ashley makes light of it, causing a distance the two girls try to bridge.

GIRLS APART

Producers: C. Sheppard & C. Savageot, 1987. 38:00

M, HS, Adult

A powerful documentary of two South African school girls, one white and one black, who the viewer into their lives and homes.

GOOD HEALTH STARTS AT HOME

Beacon Films. 1990. 15:00.

M, HS.

Examines how Africa is working to improve its health care systems both through health care workshops and through certified traditional healers. Emphasizes preventive medicine.

? KONKOMBE: THE NIGERIAN POP MUSIC SCENE

Producer: Jerry Marre Harcart Films, 1988.

Grades 4 to Adult

Lively documentary of Nigerian popular music, featuring artists such as Fela Kuti, King Sunny Ade, and Sonny Okosun, in performance and in their communities.

LAGOS: RICH MAN, POOR MAN

Geographical Eye Over Africa. 1994. 20:00.

M, HS, Adult

This program shows the enourmous contrast between the lives of two children in Nigeria's bustling metropolis, thereby illustrating how the city works and its people survive.

? MA JOURN?E EN FRAN?AIS

PICS. French. 30:00

Elementary - HS

This video contains six 5-minute sections on Benin, Senegal, and Reunion in Africa, as well as Lebanon, Martinique, and Corsica. Each segment is narrated by a child who describes a typical day in his or her country. Narrated in simple French with a written transcript and lesson plan provided.

? MANDELA

Producer: Home Box Office Inc. 1987. 2:15

M, HS, Adult

Documentary/ drama featuring Danny Glover in the role of Nelson Mandela; part biography and part history of the ANC.

? NIGERIA

1984. 15:00 (transferred from filmstrip)

M, HS

Provides an introductory overview of the history, geography, and politics of Nigeria.

A SON OF AFRICA:
THE SLAVE NARRATIVE OF OLAUDAH EQUIANO

Producer: Aimimage/BBC. 1996. 28:00.

M, HS (brief scene of bare breasts), Adult

Based on the first widely read slave autobiography from 1789, this video dramatically portrays Equiano's life. Additional archival material and brief interviews with scholars such as Stuart Hall and Ian Duffield reveal the social and economic context of the 18th century slave trade.

TEXTBOOKS AND DREAMS

Beacon Films. 1990. 15:00.

M, HS.

Describes Africans' pride in education and explores different forms of education in Africa.

A TOY IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT

UNICEF: 25:00

Age 6 and up

This video was filmed primarily in Kenya. Lively and engaging, it features vignettes of family and school life in both urban and rural settings. It focuses primarily on children at play and making their own toys.

Narrated by Liv Ullmann.

* Only the first half on rural Kenyan children is appropriate for elementary school children.

UNDERSTANDING EACH OTHER

Beacon Films. Time: 15:00. 1990.

M, HS

With wonderful spirit, a Zimbabwean teenage actress introduces Africa's diverse geography and cultures and dispels many misconceptions along the way. An outstanding video.

WOMEN: CHANGING OUR ROLES

Beacon Films. 15:00. 1990

M, HS

Explores the traditional expectations of women and their evolving opportunities in marriage, education, and work.

ZAJOTA AND THE BOOGIE SPIRIT

1990, 20:00 Producer: Ayoka Chenzira

M, HS, Adult

This vibrant film, produced in colorful animation, recapitulates in folktale form the saga of black people. The story takes the audience on a journey from Africa and traditional way of life , through the disruption of slavery to the pursuit for equality in the Civil Rights Movement.